Staples "Eco-Easy Button"

Spring 2011

$25,000 Global Contest Winner

THE ECO EASY BUTTON

...is an evolution of the surge protector. It lives on the desk and is attached to the built-in power strip on the floor.

THE BIG IDEA

Vampire power draw costs consumers 4 Billion Dollars a year. By giving the user an easy, ergonomic way to shut off their excess power consumption, you educate the customer while saving money, and the environment.

EATURES

- Gives access to the power switch without delving beneath the desk.

- Spin the button to drape cords off the edge of the desk, reducing clutter.

THEORY

The Eco Easy Button acts as a beacon to the user, letting them know how long they’ve been drawing power by color. The gentle glow acts as a reminder and public statement of the user’s mindfulness & the intentions of the eco-easy brand. This is both good for the user and the Staples brand, creating a flagship item that embodies their principles.

THE BIG WIN

This idea was submitted to Staples Eco Easy Competition in December 2010. In February 2011, Staples notified our team that TWO of our concepts were selected to be in the group of 7 global finalists!

We were given a $2000 stipend to build models of out concepts by the time of the finalist competition in April. Being that our team had 2 concepts, one of them being my “Eco Easy Button,” our team of four split up the work as follows:

Brandon: Refined the design & CAD modeled the concept for 3D Printing. Developed the presentation.

Alex & James focused on their alternate concept, the Folio.

We flew to Washington, DC and I presented to a panel of judges including designers, Staples executives, and government ecology officials. Then after a day of presentations to the press, winners were announced and the Eco Easy Button took first!